Driving Differences: Mexico vs. Spain for Safe Travels
When exploring the roads of Mexico and Spain, drivers encounter notable distinctions that impact their travel experience. From lane usage rules and speed limits to alcohol regulations and emergency contacts, understanding these variations is crucial for safe navigation. This comparison highlights essential guidelines to ensure a secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
mexico:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay